Hermantown’s first week of the fall season produced no shortage of standout individual performances. Several Hawks quickly established themselves as leaders, flashing the kind of form that could define the rest of the season.
On the boys soccer pitch, sophomore striker Hunter Nelson made his presence felt with two quick goals Friday in a 3-0 victory over Mesabi East, opening the scoring in the 15th minute off a Parker Clennon feed before striking again unassisted ten minutes later.
Nelson’s attacking spark not only gave the Hawks an early cushion but also underlined his potential to be one of the area’s top finishers this fall. Senior forward Quinn Raukar added to the firepower the next day, scoring twice in a 4-2 setback to Benilde-St. Margaret’s. His first goal came in the 25th minute from a Nelson assist, and he followed with another in the 37th off a pass from Jack Johnson to give Hermantown a halftime lead over one of the state’s premier private-school programs.
Goalkeeper Ethan Aysta has been tested early and responded, stopping 12 shots against BSM and four more in Friday’s shutout win. His presence in the net gave the Hawks the stability to absorb pressure and stay in both matches.
Volleyball also provided highlights. Hermantown opened with a convincing straight-sets sweep of Duluth Marshall at home, taking the Lake Superior Conference opener 25-17, 25-15, 25-23. Setter Anna Bergerson orchestrated the offense with 16 assists, while outside hitter Lilah Conley provided the firepower and the grit, finishing with nine kills, 17 digs and five ace serves. Sophie Schulz added eight kills, and libero Reese Lukovsky anchored the back row with a match-high 22 digs, helping the Hawks withstand a third-set rally from the Hilltoppers.
Head coach Jessica Williams credited her players for finding a way to finish despite nerves and inexperience.
“We struggled with our consistency, but our passing is our strong suit this year,” Williams said. “Some of our hitters must step up in games to put the ball away. But luckily, we are just beginning our season so we have time. We still have lots to work on but we are a skilled team, just very young with only one senior, Ashlee Pruse. Our youth showed, but we were able to pull it together and get the win. With the first game done, the nerves and jitters gone, we can only go up from here.”
Two nights later, the Hawks pushed Westonka to five sets before falling 3-2, a back-and-forth match that showcased Hermantown’s resiliency. Conley led the way with 13 kills and 18 digs, Schulz added seven kills and three blocks, Bergerson distributed 20 assists, and Kadyn Kimpling recorded 21 digs along with two ace serves. For a program with just one senior, those first two matches revealed a core of young players who are ready to be tested.
On the girls soccer field, Hermantown traveled to North Branch and came home with a scoreless draw. The Hawks controlled possession for long stretches, moving the ball efficiently through the midfield and creating half-chances in the attacking third. Goalkeepers Cambriia Thomas and Lucy Critchley split duties and combined for five saves to preserve the clean sheet.
“It was a great effort by our girls tonight,” head coach Nathan Hanson said. “The possession and combinations put us on the front foot from the kickoff. I was happy with the energy and way the girls controlled the game. We lacked quality once we got in the attacking third and failed to put the ball in the back of the net. While we’re happy with how everyone played, the girls aren’t satisfied with the result and are motivated to step up the intensity in training to have a more complete game next Tuesday when we take on Duluth Marshall.”
Through the early part of the Hawks’ season, boys soccer showed they can match goals with top-tier programs, volleyball proved it has both talent and depth to withstand long matches, and girls soccer revealed a defensive backbone that should keep them competitive in conference play.
This Week’s Hermantown Schedule
Boys Soccer
Thursday, Aug. 28 — vs. Proctor (JV at YMCA Fields, Varsity at Centricity Stadium)
Girls Soccer
Tuesday, Aug. 26 — vs. Duluth Marshall at Centricity Stadium
Thursday, Aug. 28 — at North Branch
Volleyball
Tuesday, Aug. 26 — at Esko (JV/Varsity)
Thursday, Aug. 28 — at Princeton (C-Team/JV/Varsity)
Friday, Aug. 29 — vs. Westonka at Hermantown HS (C-Team/JV/Varsity)
Football
Friday, Aug. 29 — Varsity home opener vs. Duluth Denfeld at Centricity Stadium (7 p.m., flagpole dedication pregame)
Tennis (Girls)
Monday, Aug. 25 — vs. Marshall School at Hermantown Tennis Courts (10 a.m.)
Wednesday, Aug. 27 — vs. Duluth East at Hermantown Tennis Courts (10 a.m.)
Friday, Aug. 29 — vs. Saint Francis at Laura MacArthur Elementary (10 a.m.)
Cross Country
Thursday, Aug. 28 — Boys & Girls Varsity scrimmage at Chub Lake (10 a.m.)
Saturday, Aug. 30 — Invitational at Proctor Golf Course (9 a.m.)